tergiversate

[tur-ji-ver-seyt]

verb (used without object)

tergiversated, tergiversating 

1. to change repeatedly one's attitude or opinions with respect to a cause, subject, etc.; equivocate.

2. to turn renegade.

tergiversate

/ ˈtɜːdʒɪvəˌseɪt, ˈtɜːdʒɪˌvɜːsənt /

verb

1. to change sides or loyalties; apostatize

2. to be evasive or ambiguous; equivocate

Other Word Forms

• tergiversation noun
• tergiversator noun
• tergiversant noun
• tergiversatory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tergiversate¹

First recorded in 1645–55; from Latin tergiversātus (past participle of tergiversārī “to turn one's back”), equivalent to tergi- (combining form of tergum “back”) + versātus, past participle of versāre, frequentative formed from versus, past participle of vertere “to turn”; -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of tergiversate¹

C17: from Latin tergiversārī to turn one's back, from tergum back + vertere to turn